ON ANGLING WITH THE WORM 125 



As a lure for trout, worm unquestionably ranks 

 next to artificial fly. It also comes in at a very 

 suitable time being the very season in which the 

 fly-fisher meets with least encouragement. One 

 advantage it possesses over fly is the superior size of 

 the trout caught ; in general they will average a half 

 more in weight. If any angler is limited to one 

 week's fishing in a year, he should choose bright 

 weather and clear water in the beginning of July ; 

 if skilled in the use of the worm, he may depend 

 upon killing more trout then than any other week 

 in the year. 



The first subject which naturally suggests itself is 

 the tackle necessary for this mode of fishing. The 

 rod should be at least four feet longer than that 

 used for fly. 



A double-handed rod should be used on all occa- 

 sions, and in all waters, whether small or large. 

 A single-handed rod is most suitable for fly-fishing, 

 where quick striking is necessary, and where a line 

 several times the length of the rod can be thrown 

 with ease ; but in worm-fishing quick striking is not 

 necessary, and throwing a long line is highly repre- 

 hensible, as the force required to cast it mutilates 

 the worm sadly. For this reason also, the rod for 

 worm-fishing should be rather more pliant, as it 

 requires more force and a more sudden impulse to 

 cast a certain length of line with a stiff rod than 

 with a moderately supple one. As you cannot cast 

 a long line, keeping out of the trout's sight must be 

 managed by length of rod, not by length of line ; 



